10 Free Things to do in Peak District That You Shouldn't Miss

October 5, 2021 Madelene Haan

Discover the best top things to do in Peak District, United Kingdom including Kinder Scout, Stanage Edge, The Roaches Peak District, Ridge Walk Mam Tor to Losehill, Chee Dale, Mam Tor, Tissington Trail and High Peak Trail, River Wye, Longshaw Estate, Solomon's Temple.
Restaurants in Peak District

1. Kinder Scout

Peak District National Park England http://www.facebook.com/kinderscoutpeakdistrict
Excellent
79%
Good
18%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 290 reviews

Kinder Scout

Reviewed By amdgriggs - Sheffield, United Kingdom

I’ve been walking on and around Kinder for nearly 60 years now and it’s probably my favourite place in England for grand walking, certainly if all the places you can reach easily from Sheffield. It boasts a couple of true classic routes (eg up Grindsbrook from Edale, round the southern edge of the plateau westward to Edale Rocks and then down Jacobs Ladder and via Upper Booth, with options to go up Ringing Roger to start to avoid the Grindsbrook crowds, and to extend by heading north across the plateau to Kinder Gates and Kinder Downfall before heading south along the western edge to Jacobs Ladder) - great walks and spectacular in good weather but also never to be underestimated. Kinder is very different in cold, wet or misty weather - I well remember wintry walks on Kinder with my dad as a child, but also more recent occasions when I’ve marvelled at inexperienced and under-equipped walkers up there in descending mist with no map or compass and only a sketchy idea where they want to be. There’s a reason the Edale Mountain Rescue Team is so busy.... Things have changed in the past few years and much of the popular stretch of the plateau edge from Grindsbrook to Jacobs Ladder is now well-engineered with millstone slabs (to control erosion; the centre of the plateau also has far more vegetation than 60 years ago, thanks to extensive replanting of heather and the construction of hundreds of leaky dams which have prevented the further erosion of many of the peat hags. My favourite sections to walk are now some of the quieter and more remote areas at the eastern or northern ends of the plateau, where there are a surprising number of clear but little-used paths and some wonderful rock outcrops. A great walk is to walk up to Hope Cross (eg from Bagshaw Bridge on the Edale side), up to the plateau and then do as long an anti-clockwise circuit as you have the energy for, cutting across to the south side at one of the narrower points and using your navigation skills. There are also paths across the plateau, most not shown on OS maps but clearly shown on (eg) Open CycleMap, which comes free with the ViewRanger app. There’s another fine walk too from the Snake Inn west up Ashop Clough to Ashop Head, then east along the plateau’s northern edge before descending again off Fairbrook Naze. Kinder gets really popular at weekends and in good weather - good to see, of course, and not surprising too as it’s also the start of the Pennine Way - and it’s always good to know there are quieter parts which are just as dramatic and just as wild: check out the iconic Kinder Gates, or the Madwoman’s Stone. Very highly recommended.

2. Stanage Edge

Peak Park, Hathersage, Peak District National Park England http://www.peakdistrictinformation.com/visits/stanage.php
Excellent
82%
Good
17%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 492 reviews

Stanage Edge

Reviewed By aashildg

We followed a guide book from Hathersage and it was an amazing walk with a lovely view over the Peak District.

3. The Roaches Peak District

Upper Hulme, Leek ST13 7LX England +44 1782 847409 http://www.roaches.org.uk/
Excellent
81%
Good
17%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 462 reviews

The Roaches Peak District

Reviewed By kenhI2641SB - Ipswich, United Kingdom

Visited when staying at the Camping and Caravanning site at Blackshaw Moor near Leek. It was a superb 10 mile round trip hike from the campsite, across country via Lower Blackshaw Farm and Whitty Lane up to Hen Cloud. From there its an excellent north west trek following the Roaches ridge past Doxy Pool to the Trig point before turning back. Superb views of Tittesworth Reservoir. Plenty of places to stop for a picnic with a view. There is limited roadside parking that runs below the Roaches albeit it gets full very quickly. It is worth noting that it is not a bad walk from the reservoir Visitor Centre where there is ample parking, toilets etc.

4. Ridge Walk Mam Tor to Losehill

Castleton, Peak District National Park England +44 7854 024242 http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/kinder-edale-and-the-dark-peak/trails/mam-tor-circular-walk
Excellent
81%
Good
17%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 756 reviews

Ridge Walk Mam Tor to Losehill

Reviewed By 677KarenL

Highly recommend this walk in the Peak District - it's a firm favourite. I love the great outdoors and this really is an area of unspoilt natural beauty. Walks for all abilities - simply from the NT car park up to the top of Mam Tor peak to take in the views or to carry on and follow the ridge all along and descend into Castletown for a walk around. It's a stunning walk that I will happily do time and time again!

5. Chee Dale

Monsal Trail, Peak District National Park SK17 8TD England
Excellent
90%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
10%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 10 reviews

Chee Dale

Reviewed By Charlotte_Lottie23 - Derby, United Kingdom

Another beautiful part of the Peak District. Parking was easy to find. Toilets and a cafe, following all COVID-19 rules. Easy to follow path with lots of signs along the way. Lots of opportunities to take some lovely pictures.

6. Mam Tor

Hope, Peak District National Park England http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/features/mam-tor-peak-district
Excellent
0%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
100%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 144 reviews

Mam Tor

7. Tissington Trail and High Peak Trail

Peak District National Park England +44 1335 343666 http://www.derbyshire-peakdistrict.co.uk/tissingtontrail.htm
Excellent
66%
Good
27%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 436 reviews

Tissington Trail and High Peak Trail

Reviewed By My-Nayvee

Pleasant stroll in the sun , walking from Parsley Hay to Hartington and back ... nice and level made for a nice amble... Great for walking and cycling alike ... Off down the other way tomorrow ;)

8. River Wye

Monsal Head, Peak District National Park, Bakewell DE45 1NL England
Excellent
57%
Good
38%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 157 reviews

River Wye

Reviewed By Fishker82 - Oxford, United Kingdom

Nice run out to Bakewell in the car from Sheffield on a sunny but cold November Sunday afternoon. Many cafe's and shops were open in accordance with COVID-19 rules (lots of queues outside etc.) but you could get fish and chips, cups of tea, snacks etc with ease. Bought some duck food from a local pet shop and fed the ducks whilst walking down the river. Really nice day.

9. Longshaw Estate

Near Fox House, Grindleford S11 7TZ, Peak District National Park S11 7TZ England +44 1433 637904 [email protected] http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/longshaw-burbage-and-the-eastern-moors/
Excellent
65%
Good
28%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
3%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 317 reviews

Longshaw Estate

Longshaw is a beautiful part of the Peak District looked after by the National Trust. From a family day out to a base for serious walkers and cyclists, Longshaw has trails for all abilities and interests. Look out for spectacular wildlife and opportunities for photographers, too.

Reviewed By Charlotte_Lottie23 - Derby, United Kingdom

Another amazing walk in the peaks today. Started off at froggart, into the Longshaw estate, on to padley gorge, owlet hill, surprise view and Bole hill. Spectacular views and something for everyone. Quite technical at times but well worth it. Can’t wait to get out again.

10. Solomon's Temple

Buxton Country Park, Buxton SK17 9DH England http://buxtoncivicassociation.org.uk/why-did-we-save-grin-low-tower-aka-solomons-temple
Excellent
55%
Good
39%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 667 reviews

Solomon's Temple

A stroll through Buxton Country park from Poole's Cavern leads to the summit of Grin Low at 1440' altitude and the Victorian viewing tower of Solomon's Temple.Built in 1896 the 20' tower with spiral stairs give a magnificent platform to view the surrounding Peak District landscape and the Spa town of Buxton in the valley below.

Reviewed By letsgopeakdistrict - Hathersage, United Kingdom

Lovely walk up from Pooles Cavern through the woods to Solomon's Temple, the effort to get there is worth it with the views of Buxton that are brilliant - and ace to climb up the inside of the tower.

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